The Conversation Partners Program is an enriching language experience for non-native speaking international students preparing to be TAs, and a rewarding and educational one for American partners. It provides a unique opportunity for forming international friendships and increasing cross-cultural understanding.

Undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty can enrich their experience at OSU by volunteering to meet once a week for informal conversation with an international graduate student. It is a chance for American students to get to know, on an individual level, some of the international graduate students who will become TAs at OSU. It's also a way to learn something about the world's cultures by getting to know someone from China, Korea, Japan, the Middle East, South or Central America, Southeast Asia, Africa, or Europe.

The international students who sign up are currently studying English in the Spoken English Program, OSU's international TA training program. Many are newcomers to this country, forming their first impressions of the US and its people, and using English daily for the first time. Others, who have been here longer, want the opportunity to use their English skills more often, in relaxed, non-academic situations. Still others want very much to talk to American students about their expectations of university instructors.

American Volunteers:

"I [shared] opinions about what...makes a good TA and...a good/respectable student TA relationship."

"I gained knowledge of another culture and enjoyed helping another person learn the English language."

"I wanted to expand my knowledge about the world through all types of people, and I did!"

"I’ve gained some insight as to some of the difficulties I may encounter when I study abroad."

International Students:

"It helped me make better sense of what undergraduate students often expect in their classes."

"...it is good for learning English and to know American life."

"...in each meeting we talked about many things regarding American culture, and the American volunteers were interested in our culture."

"I hate my math class because I can't understand my TA," may soon be a thing of the past if the [Spoken English Program's] Conversation Partner Program continues to succeed in its efforts.

• Meet informally, once a week, with an international graduate student who will be an Ohio State TA in the future.
• Help an international TA become a better teacher by discussing the needs and expectations of American university students.
• Help him/her learn conversational English.
• Learn about other cultures and discover more about your own.
• Make a new friend!